John Calvin Commentary John 1:43

"On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me." — John 1:43 (ASV)

Follow me. When Philip was inflamed by this single word to follow Christ, we infer from it how great is the efficacy of the word of God; but it does not appear indiscriminately in all, for God addresses many without any benefit, just as if he struck their ears with a sound that vanished into air.

So then, the external preaching of the word is in itself unfruitful, except that it inflicts a deadly wound on the reprobate, so as to render them inexcusable before God. But when the secret grace of God enlivens it, all the senses must be affected in such a way that people will be prepared to follow wherever God calls them. We should, therefore, pray to Christ that he may manifest in us the same power of the Gospel.

In the case of Philip, there was undoubtedly a peculiarity about his following Christ; for he was commanded to follow, not like one of us, but as a household servant and a familiar companion. But still, the calling of all of us is illustrated by this calling of Philip.